Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law. Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay. Photographs on this web-site were taken by Paul Smith, Hemme Batjes, Regis Nossent,
Alberto Esquivel, Arne Lesterhuis, Rebbeca Zarza, José Luis Cartes and Hugo del Castillo and are used with their permission.
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FIGURE 1 - Gymnotus sp head detail - PN Defensores del Chaco, Departamento Alto Paraguay (Paul Smith September 2006).
FIGURE 2 - Same individual - PN Defensores del Chaco, Departamento Alto Paraguay (Paul Smith September 2006).
FIGURE 3 - Gymnotus sp. - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Ted Faust May 2008 - ECOSARA Biodiversity Database)
GYMNOTIDAE - NAKEDBACK KNIFEFISH
Knifefish are distinctive group named for their knife-like shape, whilst Nakedback Knifefish get their name because they lack a dorsal fin. These species inhabit slow-moving wwaterways and stagnant ponds, and are able to survive even when they dry out. It is not uncommon to find a mass of these fish writhing in the drying remains of the muddy puddle that was once their home. They possess an electrical organ that enable them to distinguish friend from foe!
